Millions of pounds approved for Halifax sixth form college at Northgate House

Calderdale will get a new multi-million pound sixth form college based in the heart of Halifax after councillors agreed to provide key funding to get the ball rolling. Councillors agreed last night (April 11) to release £2.5 million to back the scheme to develop a college at Northgate and the first students should be starting their courses there by September 2019. Out-of-town specialist sixth form colleges such as Greenhead at Huddersfield, Rochdale and Burnley have seen a “brain drain” of students from traditional school sixth forms in Calderdale and the new project will provide them with a post-16 further education option without leaving the district as well boosting Calderdale’s economy. The Northgate site consists of Northgate House, which is currently used as council offices, and the former Halifax Central Library and Archive, which has now moved next to the Piece Hall. READ MORE: Specialist Halifax sixth form college plan for Northgate House and former library site The larger sixth form centre will be more viable than traditional individual school-based equivalents and will enhance the curriculum range for students, something which has been a major factor in their decisions to study at out-of-town specialist sites. Numbers are crucial to sixth form liability and earlier this year Calder High School at Mytholmroyd was the latest to scrap its sixth form due to a falling roll. READ MORE: Halifax sixth-form college backers say district has ‘clear need’ Council leader, Labour’s Coun Tim Swift (Town), recommended the cash be released to cover the cost… [Read full story]